Austin's Black Freedom Communities
Welcome to RISE ATX
Preserving the History of Austin’s Black Freedom Communities
Explore the stories, people, and places that shaped a legacy.
Austin’s history is rich—but too often, the stories of its Black freedom communities have been ignored, erased, or misunderstood.
These neighborhoods, founded by formerly enslaved people after Emancipation, became thriving centers of Black culture, community, and resilience. They built homes, churches, schools, and businesses that sustained generations.
RISE is a documentary and digital archive dedicated to sharing these untold histories. Through film, education, archival images, and community voices, we invite you to engage with this vital legacy. More than a film, RISE is a platform for truth-telling and preservation. Whether you're an educator, historian, student, descendant, or lifelong Austinite, this is your entry point into understanding the neighborhoods that helped shape the cultural identity of the city.
The Film
Lesson Plan
About the Film
RISE is a documentary that uncovers the hidden history of Austin’s Black freedom communities. Created by native Austinites Funmi Ogunro and Stephanie Lang, the film focuses on neighborhoods such as Clarksville, Gregorytown, Masontown, and Red River—communities built by Black families following the Civil War.
Told through oral histories, rare archival photographs, and insight from historians and descendants, RISE paints a vivid portrait of communities that resisted displacement and thrived in the face of systemic racism. These stories are personal, powerful, and rooted in place.
Filmed over eight years, RISE reflects a commitment to historical accuracy and community storytelling. It has been used in classrooms across Central Texas, featured at local screenings, and recognized with a Telly Award for excellence in documentary storytelling.
Bring RISE to the Classroom
The lesson plan is an educational resource designed to support middle school, high school, and college-level instruction. With discussion prompts, activities, and guided worksheets, educators can bring the film’s core themes into meaningful classroom dialogue.
Gallery Preview
Our visual archive showcases images from Austin’s Black freedom communities. These photographs, many from the Austin History Center, provide a glimpse into daily life, church gatherings, and community landmarks, with each photo captioned for historical accuracy.
Support the Work
RISE is an independent project that depends on community generosity through donations, grants, and merchandise sales. Your contributions are vital for expanding our archive, creating educational materials, and preserving important history for future generations.
Shop RISE Merchandise
From the Blog
Discover insights from researchers, community members, and educators on the Legacy of Black Churches in Austin and the preservation of Black burial grounds.
Resources
Discover organizations, books, and digital tools that connect to Austin’s Black history.
- Texas Freedom Colonies Project
- Black Austin Tours
- George Washington Carver Museum
- And Grace Will Lead Me Home – TTU Press
Get in Touch
Get in Touch Have questions about the film, lesson plan, community histories, or upcoming events?
We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re an educator looking for resources, a community member with a story to share, or someone who wants to get involved, reach out and connect with the RISE team.
